Abstract: A comb structure that includes a handle, and a hollow housing having a number of hollow teeth extending away from the handle. Communicating cavities in the handle and housing provide storage for a liquid ointment that can infiltrate out through holes at tip areas of the teeth. The comb structure can be drawn through fur on a live animal (pet) or fur on a leather pelt, such that the ointment is directed onto the skin surface of the animal or leather pelt, so as to prevent skin diseases or provide lubrication against fur loss or leather cracking. In one form of the invention the handle is adjustably connected to the tooth housing so that the structure can be used either in rake-like fashion or in comb-like fashion.

Abstract: A shear acoustic transducer-lens system in which a shear polarized piezoelectric material excites shear polarized waves at one end of a buffer rod having a lens at the other end which excites longitudinal waves in a coupling medium by mode conversion at selected locations on the lens.

Abstract: A method for self-optimizing an object relative to a specific criterion or activity in response to variations on a prescribed number m of variables, comprising: computer-planning a set of n statistically designed, fractionally factorial tests for testing the m variables; performing the n tests on the very object in actual operation; determining from the n tests the combination of the m variables which optimizes the specific criterion or activity during the actual operation; setting the conditions of the m variables at the thus-determined optimal combination before the combination significantly changes; repeating or recycling the self-planning, performing, determining, and setting steps; and during each optimizing cycle employing the optimal combination as the experimental point in the immediately following recycle. A machine which self-optimizes according to this method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved method and apparatus for creating a more uniform filter cake on a vacuum filter belt. A weir box for depositing a slurry on the filter belt has an outlet in the form of a plurality of slots spaced transversely of the filter belt with each slot being in the form of a truncated triangle with the base of the triangle being located closer to the filter belt than the truncated portion of the triangle.

Abstract: Polymers, such as polyisobutylene or ethylene-propylene copolymers, are functionalized by reaction with an activated imine to yield novel polymers.

Abstract: Sulfate solutions containing nickel and cobalt ions are treated by solvent extraction to provide a nickel raffinate with a high Ni:Co ratio and a cobalt raffinate with a high Co:Ni ratio and with low recycle of cobalt by treating the solution with a cobalt extractant to provide a nickel raffinate of high Ni:Co ratio and a loaded extractant, acid stripping the loaded extractant to provide a cobalt sulfate solution containing some nickel and a regenerated cobalt extractant, treating the cobalt sulfate solution with a nickel extractant to provide a cobalt raffinate with a high Co:Ni ratio and acid stripping the loaded nickel extractant to regenerate the extractant and to provide a recyclable sulfate solution containing only a small proportion of the original cobalt.

Abstract: A nail trimmer includes a motor having a motor shaft having its one end mounted with a first cylindrical-rod polisher and having the other end of the shaft mounted with a second disk-shaped polisher, in which the motor can be shifted either rightwardly to protrude the first polisher for polygonally trimming a user's nail, or leftwardly to protrude the second polisher for planarly trimming the user's nail.

Abstract: Environmental stress failure resistant and impact resistant polycarbonates useful for producing molded plastic components are prepared from an aromatic polycarbonate and a copolymer of ethylene and carbon monoxide.

Abstract: New 5-fluorouridine compounds of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein n is an integer of 1 to 3, R' stands for a straight or branched chain alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a benzyl group, and R stands for an amino acid residue selected from the group consisting of alanyl, phenylalanyl, valyl, tyrosyl, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanyl and lysyl groups. These compounds possess excellent anti-malignant tumor, anti-viral and immunosuppressive activities.

Abstract: A process of making a lithium cell with a positive electrode that comprises a niobium chalcogenide (e.g., NbSe.sub.3) active material. The process comprises forming the active material by a procedure that comprises forming a layer of Nb powder on an inert substrate (e.g., an alumina plate), and reacting the powder with selenium or sulfur vapor such that the desired (fibrous) chalcogenide is formed. The powder layer typically is formed by depositing (e.g., by spraying) a layer of slurry on the substrate, with the slurry comprising a liquid such as propylene glycol and Nb powder, and removing the liquid from the deposited slurry. The resulting layer of Nb powder can be of uniform thickness, advantageously is less than 0.1 mm thick, and adheres relatively well to the substrate. In preferred embodiments reacting the Nb powder with Se vapor comprises a two-stage heat treatment, the first stage comprising maintaining the powder in contact with Se vapor for at least four hours at a temperature in the range 520.

Abstract: The present invention relates to toner fluid dispersions comprising electrostatically charged colloidal elemental metal particles dispersed in nonconductive organic liquid media of low dielectric constant and containing a charge-inducing surfactant. In other aspects, processes are disclosed for electrophoretically depositing the colloidal elemental metal particles of the toner fluid to produce nonconductive, continuous coatings or patterns and methods of enhancing the coatings or patterns to make them electrically conductive.

Abstract: A method for improving the reliability of a ceramic-metal joint by reducing the dynamic mismatch stresses and strains on the ceramic due to the mismatch in thermal expansions of the two materials. This is done by bonding with a metal layer the ceramic to metal to form a bonding interfacial region between the ceramic and metal; and radially grading the interface region the thermal conductivity, thermal expansion coefficient, or tensile strength of the metal layer. An article in the form of a laterally graded, metallic bonding disc for overcoming problems of dynamic mismatch stresses and strains is also disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: A digital control circuit for controlling the illumination of a plurality of lamp bulbs to create a decorative light display. The circuit includes a rectifier for converting alternating current to direct current as power for the digital elements of the control circuit and for the lamp bulbs of the display. The display is formed by a plurality of strings of series connected lamp bulbs each of which strings is supplied d.c. power through individual SCRs. The control circuit includes two oscillators, two decoders and a carry-out control which generate two different sequences of output signals at two different frequencies. The two sequences of output signals from the control circuit are each applied through isolating diodes and individual trigger circuits to the gate electrodes of the SCRs, causing the SCRs to conduct and illuminate each of the strings of lamps in sequences corresponding to the sequences of control circuit output signals.

Abstract: A system for controlling a gate includes a microprocessor which normally automatically recloses a gate after it has been opened in response to a radio or sensor loop signal, and which normally locks the gate against movement when the gate motor is stopped. When an obstruction is sensed in the path of the gate, the automatic reclosing feature and the sensor loops are disabled, the gate drive remains unlocked even though the motor is stopped, and the response of the system to a radio signal is changed to produce alternating opening and closing of the gate on successive radio signals. At all times, the gate drive lock is released before the motor is started and is not engaged until after the gate has come to rest.

Abstract: A measuring apparatus is provided for measuring the internal friction of a transversely vibrating metal specimen at various operation temperatures. The measuring apparatus includes a container body mounted on a machine table and having an open upper end, an ascending device for moving vertically a container lid into and out of engagement with the container body, and a measuring unit secured to the lower surface of the container lid. The measuring unit includes a measuring rack, a heating body, a heating source, a temperature sensing element, a water-cooled driving member and a water-cooled detecting member. The specimen can be driven by the driving member to vibrate in the measuring unit and detected by the detecting member to allow determination of its metal properties.

Abstract: Novel 1-(4-phenoxyphenyl)-3-benzoyl urea compounds are provided together with methods for their preparation and the use of said compounds as the active toxicant in pesticidal compositions.

Abstract: Process for producing 1-halo-2-deoxy-2-fluoroarabinofuranoside derivatives bearing protective ester groups from 1,3,5-tri-O-acylribofuranose; the 1-halo compounds are intermediates in the synthesis of therapeutically active nucleosidic compounds.

Abstract: A triangle for stalled or disabled vehicles, comprising an outer triangular portion which is red and reflective which is placed on a structure, an inner triangular portion which is yellow and which can be lit up by two light bulbs which are on the inside of the structure, a battery chamber, and a cigarette-lighter D.C. adapter which has a line connected to a lighting circuit and which when not in use can be placed in an adapter storage chamber which is part of the structure, with the line from the D.C. adapter to the lighting circuit winding automatically, with a D.C. adapter cord securement switch, with a lighting selection switch allowing for either continuous or blinking light, and magnets on the back and bottom faces.

Abstract: Novel 1-(alkylphenoxyphenyl)-3-benzoyl ureas and a process for their preparation are provided. The novel ureas are useful as the active toxicant in pesticidal composition.